African Union (Addis Ababa)
Jean Ping
26 September 2008
(Page 2 of 2)
Our quest for durable peace and security and development will prove unsuccessful unless we intensify international cooperation and practical linkages with peoples and nations around the world. We have thus deployed unprecedented efforts geared at developing or renewing clear and predictable international cooperation frameworks and partnerships.
I should like to take this opportunity to thank all Members of the Congress for their continued vigilance and support in sustaining the US Financial and Logistical Contributions to the AU Peace efforts through your active and pivotal role in both the Foreign Affairs and Ways and Means Committees. We also remain grateful for the support of our capacity building needs. Recent proof of those efforts in particular is the establishment of the AU Electoral Support Unit.
President Kikwete,
Congressman Payne,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me now address the theme of this event by reiterating our sincere appreciation to both the Executive and Legislative Branches of the US Administration for raising the level of engagement with Africa through its placing emphasis on partnership and cooperation - defining a new paradigm that transcends the traditional approach of "humanitarism" as a cornerstone of a new US Africa Policy.
While sincerely appreciating tangible proofs of this policy shift through the Millennium Challenge Account and the African Growth and Opportunity Act, there is still room for improvement. In that regard, we look forward to further dialogue, similar to that pursued with our other development partners to review development assistance.
In the same vein, we welcome the renewed commitment to address Africa's concerns with respect to (AGOA). Likewise, we are heartened by the recently re-authorization of PEPFAR which provides for more and targeted interventions to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as well as Malaria and Tuberculosis.
As one of the biggest stakeholders in a successful WTO negotiation, we are naturally disappointed by the inconclusive Doha Rounds of Negotiations. We continue to count on US leadership in moving forward this process towards its logical conclusion, which takes into account the special needs of Africa.
What can Africa expect from a New US Administration?
Firstly, it is our hope that a new US Administration will remain engaged with Africa as it has been over the last few years. This engagement is illustrated by the establishment of a U.S. Mission dedicated to the African Union Commission separate from the US Mission to Ethiopia. Thus far, the US is the only country with such a Mission in Addis Ababa and the granting of diplomatic status to the African Union Mission in Washington is also unique. Consequently, it is our hope that strengthening Africa – US Partnership, underpinned by carefully balanced strategic approach to US/Africa Relations will continue to be maintained.
Secondly, encouraging more regular High Level Interactions and Dialogue both on the Continent and in the US for first hand knowledge of African needs and realities as well as US expectations, will also be very helpful. This will ensure that the US is able to act on Africa on the basis of facts and Africa's real needs.
Thirdly, strengthening institutional working relations between both the Executive and Legislative Branches and the African Union Commission as well as working relations with the newly established African Union Mission in Washington will be well appreciated.
Fourthly, it will be our hope that the US will play a leadership role in ensuring that global commitments that are so crucial for Africa's development, are duly implemented through the G-8 and other global fora.
Fifthly, encouraging targeted support to the implementation of existing African Union initiatives and programmes will be, we hope, a major focus of the new Administration.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Much as I would like not to conclude on a sober note, the reality of the persisting food and energy crisis dictates otherwise. In particular, the global food crisis is already exacerbating external dependency in some of our countries where imports account for up to 45% percent of stable foods such as rice. A robust African response found expression in a Declaration adopted by African Leaders in Sharm El-Sheikh, in July this year and entitled, "Declaration on Responding to the Challenges of High Food Prices and Agricultural Development". Let us join hands together in implementing the provisions of this Declaration.
Moreover, this crisis has made it abundantly clear that we live in an interdependent world – no country, big or small, rich or poor, powerful or weak - is monolithic. Forging Strategic economic alliances and international cooperation are steadily becoming a global imperative and we in Africa are ready to partner with America.
I thank you for your attention.
Prepared statement by H. E. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, delivered at the Annual Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference Foreign Affairs Brain Trust on "Challenges and Opportunities for the Next Administration"
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As an American Christian who has many friends in Kenya, Uganda and many other African nations I have spent many hours researching Barack Obama. Before I became a Christian over 25 years ago I had been a communist. This background has helped with giving me some insights during my research. I have, also, noticed that those African-Americans most involved in truly helping the poor are those that are most opposed to Obama. What I have found from my research is that Obama is nothing close to what people want to believe who he is. Let me give just a few of many many examples: 1. As a State Senator in Illinois, Obama took the side of the teacher's union against the interests of black children in inner city Chicago. 2. He has taken the most pro-abortion positions of any member of the US Senate including support for live birth abortion (i.e. allowing a baby that survies abortion to be left to die.) 3. Throughout his life he has been closely associated with communists and even American terrorits (Bill Ayers among others). Despite continual denials on behalf of the Obama campaign more and more evidence cames out about his shady associations. 4. He has claimed to be a Christian but in his own words one of his books, he answers his daughter when she asked where she goes when she dies by him saying "I don't know". 5. He is a major supporter for homosexual rights.
With the current financial crisis in America, if Obama is elected President and implements just some of his economic and tax policies the American economy could well go into a depression. This would mean much less US aid for Africa.
As I have said for the last ten years when I have taught in Africa is that it is a big mistake to look to America as Africa's salvation. The nation building principles of early America can provide good insights for nation building in Africa. America today has fallen far away from these self-governing principles.
Listen up John A, It's the American people that will put Barack Obama in the White House not your sorry opinion of him. 25 years is not enough time for a commie to change, still sound like one and a true Christian don't cast that kind of judgement. It is the American Christian who believe in Obama's vision and competence as a President, that means mainstream America, big America,little America, midwest America and rural America. You should research Christianity and what it means,happy hunting!
John, let's take the emotion out of it and make it about facts. The current global financial crisis was triggered by that phony make believe "real estate boom" of 2002-2005 in the US real estate market. John McCain was behind the deregulation of the real estate market. Insanity followed and only the wise ones knew what was coming. Hey, Washington take care of their "boys" first. Deregulation made so much dough $$$$$$ for them + their "boys", what do they care? They layman don't understand, who's looking? You can't Tie Barack Obama to scandal of that magnitude, (the one with rich white boys in power looking out for #1 themselves and their extravagant life styles) end of story.
Oilbaron there are no facts in your post whatsoever. The deregulation was done by Democrats....most of this country realizes this now. Key Democrats opposed the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005, which would have established a single, independent regulatory body with jurisdiction over Fannie and Freddie – a move that the Government Accountability Office had recommended in a 2004 report.
Top 3 recipients of campaign contributions from Fannie and Freddie: Christopher Dodd (D)- $133,900 John Kerry(D)- $111,000 Barak Obama(D)- $105,849 McCain had regulation bill 3 years ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_FZCaKDn9k You can't question the words right from The chairman if the House Financial Services Committee Barny Frank's mouth.
The total lies like this and selective news reporting by the main stream media are the only reason for Obama's SLIGHT lead over McCain right now.
I'm a Christian and Obama's stand on Abortion anytime anywhere at any age paid by taxpayers and voting to allow children born by botched abortions being left to die is the reason NO ONE with belief in the teachings and salvation of Jesus Christ should have anything to do with Obama whatsoever. Can you tell me anything Obama has done to protect the people of Chicago where he worked? More people die there then in Iraq!
Oh yeah...he had a gazebo built.
Heavens, John, do i have to read through all that right-wing Christian rhetoric complete with all the talk-radio talking points... live-birth abortions, commies and terrorists... in this dialogue? How do these lies further the topic?
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